Your hot water heater is a very necessary home appliance,
keeping you stocked with a ready supply of hot water. If you ask any plumber,
he or she will tell you that during standard usage, most household water
heaters have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. However, depending on the make
and model of your heater, as well as how hard it is working, you may find
that it could break down well before it is supposed to. Knowing when to
replace your unit may not be as obvious as you think. Here are some ways
to help you determine whether to keep or to replace.

Diagnose the Issue

There are several apparent reasons why you should
replace your water heater. First off, the condition and age of your unit are important to note.
Next, check for leaks. Pooling water near or around your unit may be a
sign of a major problem. Also, consider your current financial situation—can
you afford to replace your unit or can you only afford a temporary repair?

Examine Your Water

When trying to determine whether or not to replace your hot water heater,
use your senses to test the reserved water within your tank. Look to see
if the water is muddy, rusty, or full of sediment, which indicates that
your water heater is not functioning correctly. Smell the water for foul
odors. If feasible, taste the water—if you detect a metallic taste,
your unit is failing or close to failing.

Be Mindful of Other Signs

Getting to know how your water heater properly works can really help you
to make the right decision. Be aware of these other signs of abnormality:
broken thermostat, flickering pilot lights on gas powered models, malfunctioning
heating or burner elements, sticking or stuck valves, and electrical issues
on electric water heaters.

If you are in need of a highly competent
plumber in Berkeley, look no further than Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating. We have been
faithfully serving the Alameda, Berkeley, and Oakland areas for over 30
years by providing wide-ranging services like water heater installation
and repair, drain cleaning, plumbing leak detection, and more. Call us
today at (510) 843-6904 to schedule a consultation or service.

During the hot summer months, air conditioners tend to be constantly running.
To ease the strain on your AC unit, be sure that it is properly cleaned
and maintained every year. Also, consider not running your air conditioner
during peak usage hours, such as between the hours of 1:00pm and 8:00pm,
when energy costs can skyrocket and electrical overload can occur.

Check out this video to learn some helpful tips on how to save money on
your power bill when running your AC. One proactive measure is to contact
your local power company to ask if it offers any energy-efficiency incentives.

For more information about how to improve the efficiency of your AC in
Berkeley, contact Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating at (510) 843-6904.
We provide a
wide range of plumbing and HVAC services that will keep your home’s systems running when you need them to.

If you have an AC unit, you have probably cleaned or replaced its filter
many times. However, have you actually thought of why you need a filter
for your air conditioner? Ultimately, the answer is that it has to do
with maintaining good air quality inside your home. That is why modern
central AC systems utilize disposable filter media, which are supposed
to be changed every two to three months.

Since your HVAC system uses fans and ducts to move air throughout your
home, it makes sense that your system should have safeguards against circulating
harmful particles inside your home. Depending on their quality and specifications,
air filters are made to trap air pollutants and allergens such as mold
spores, bacteria, dust, fungi, pollen, and animal dander. These particles
can potentially cause adverse health effects, especially for those who
have chronic respiratory diseases.

For over 30 years,
Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating has served the Alameda, Berkeley, and Contra Costa counties. To learn
more about air filtration and AC in Berkeley, contact our helpful and
knowledgeable staff at (510) 843-6904.

Your AC system tends to run nonstop during the warm summer months to keep
your home’s indoor air temperature at a cool and comfortable level.
Implementing a routine maintenance schedule will help you keep your system
running as efficiently as possible. Remember to be proactive. You should
not wait until the summer to start your HVAC maintenance plan. Instead,
organize ahead to ensure that your AC unit functions properly throughout
its working season.

Replace Your Filters

To guarantee that your AC unit is running in tiptop shape, replace its
dirty, disposable filters at least once every two months. Filters that
are clogged with dust and debris can inhibit airflow and overburden your
AC’s main fan, which could cause its motor to burn out. This problem
triggers a domino effect that will most definitely cause your entire system
to seize. Additionally, by keeping your air filters clean, you will effectively
maintain optimal indoor air quality within your home.

Clean and Protect Your System

Make sure that all of your AC system’s parts are in good working
order. Routinely inspect the network of ducts running throughout your
home, and then have a trained HVAC technician perform a diagnostic checkup
of your ductwork—he or she will be able to detect blockages or fissures
that you may not. Remove any leaves and debris from your unit’s outdoor
condenser, as well as from its external vents. Also, provide it with some form of
protection from the sun. Shading your condenser can increase your AC unit’s
overall efficiency.

Check Moving Parts

Over time, your system’s moving parts will begin to wear down. With
certain parts that can be replaced or repaired, like fan belts or fan
blades, be sure that you are aware of their condition. For example, fan
belts that become too worn will snap, thus shutting down your entire AC unit.

At Albert Nahman Plumbing & Heating, we’ve made it our mission
to keep your AC in Berkeley running properly when you need it the most.
Contact us at (510) 843-6904 to learn more about our long list of services
we provide such as plumbing, heating and AC installation and maintenance, and
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